New Homepage (Official Dev Feedback) - updated 4/5/09

[Contest Junkie]

It's ok, but I hate that fact that it's such a memory hog.... it takes entirely too long to load it, and it drains all of my comp's memory.

[Tensaibishonen]

I like the look of it, but it slows my browser down quite a lot, just like aquariums did/does.

[Chocobo Princess]

Cyberpumpkin

The twilit edges make this look like something featured in someone's DeviantART gallery, rather than its own actual site.

Just so you know, that's not a compliment. DA's layout is tasteful yet subdued, bordering on boring, but that's perfect because it's about people's art, not the presentation of the site itself. Not so with Gaia.

Am I the only one who's kinda sad that it seems like the "suits" at Gaia are trying to change the branding away from what attracted many of us in the first place?

"But we're trying to give it a more grown-up look!" the response goes.

Okay, here's the thing: I'm twice the age of the hypothetical average Gaian, and I'm actually male. It's my job to spend the day looking at a computer screen filled with grown-up-looking applications. If I'm accessing a grown-up-looking website at home, it's to file for my tax refund (hellooo TurboTax.com, I'll be taking my money back, thanks very much Uncle Sam).

So the last thing I want to look at when I'm visiting a fun site is something "mature" (e.g. boring and bland). Back in the day, Gaia's look gave a bright "fluffy clouds and sky" feel, thanks to the different blue tones and the wing (remember the wing?). How come Maple Story (who some say took design ideas from Gaia) is still getting it right, but now Gaia not so much? What about Wakfu? Or Ragnarok Online? Remember when people wanted Gaia to be more like that? What about (dare I say?) Neopets? Or Club Penguin, for crap's sake? They don't seem to have forgotten what fun looks like.

the suits: Those are your competitors. Not Gears of War. Not WoW. Not some hypothetical Hot Topic Online.For

And, okay, if you won't give way on this. . . Could you at least fix the goddamn forum buttons?! Make the colors match and put pictures in all of them.

I agree with Cyberpumpkin (except for the bit about being actually male). I want Gaia to have a fun feel. I want this as an adult who has a very boring, very repetitive adult job. The sad, washed out colors on Gaia seem a little pathetic to me; I hope we'll see some more color added back to the site soon.

Also, I couldn't agree more about the suggestion to update the icons on the Forum page. This is a main area of the site, right? Why is there no Alarmskeeter or even a Bee on the Bugs Forum? Where is the cute shortbus for the Convention Forum? Could we draw some flags for the International Forum? A fish or even a Goldfish with bubbles for the Aquarium Forum, of course. And ice cream for the new forum if you vote for my suggestion (Inside Scoop). blaugh And please update the button color when forums get rearranged. That would be great.

[Raeden Michelle]

OK, I really like the new design. It *is* less cluttered, and it *is* nicer looking, however. There's always a 'however' right? lol. My issue is that it does take longer to load and tends to "freeze" up my internet (I cannot deviate from that page to visit other tabs like 'games', etc). I do have a fast and reliable internet connection, and have checked it repeatedly just to be sure, but this is not the issue, nor is it that I have something running in the background to cause it to become slower. I am using Internet Explorer (I had to switch back due to issues with adobe flash and mozilla not being nice with each other...), and I have had the best luck using IE with this website in the past. So! If there is something else I am missing to check on, then please, disregard this bit of feedback, but I do believe that it has something to do with the amount of flash on the main page, there might be just too much going on/trying to load at once, I don't know, I'm not really all that adept at how it all works.

So, there you have it. I really do like the new look, but I do have some technical difficulties with it's loading/deviating from. 3nodding

Also, I do agree with a customizable homepage in the future...really though, nothing too fancy, and preferably not Facebook-y....I'm trying to stay away from that kind of stuff if I'm playing/forum talking. (which, by the way, Facebook is having some serious user issues as well, what with them changing the layout once more)

[J4M3Z8D]

=p

[xMisiu]

OK, it's pretty good. But what i don't like is when you always have to go to the "My Gaia" page just to view your friends. Basically, the "My Gaia" page is now my homepage. Any questions, comments to this reply, please Private Message me and have a good day. ^_^.

[Tita - Aina]

fantastic. Great improvements. Thanks, you guys are always busy keeping us entertained!

I LOVE THIS EASTER EVENT, TOO!

[xXgusbusXx]

wad uy pwith it

[Worst December]

You know, I have not been too pleased with a lot of the changes that have been going on since I joined Gaia, but this is one change that I actually like. It looks better, and is definitely more streamline. Good job, guys.

[collector13]

mrgreen

[Erebus Haze]

I think it would be beneficial if you randomized the "Popular Items," so I'm not staring at the same things over and over again. It could showcase high-priced items, items with hugest number of sales, etc.
I'd also like a reference to zOMG!. You could use some under-used NPCs talking in a dialog to reveal a couple plot points from all over the storyline so far, and then link to them saying "Find out in the new MMO, zOMG!"

[yummycha chocolicious]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> redface

[FF7Destiny]

In my opinion it makes me feel like I'm going to have a seizure. It's with all the top Gaia online bar with the rabbits and eastereggs then all the stuff underneath...It's like cluttered to me, like it's going to suffocate me.

[KatyFalls]

I love it [:
Definitely a lot more organized.

[Megg Has Joined The Party]

The only thing I dont like about the homepage is that I can no longer see my freinds list. I liked it better when the list was right there on the homepage. Otherwise its great! I really like how you have a new featured profile section and how there's a popular topics section. Great Job! blaugh